Finding the perfect college begins with constructing the perfect college list. For each student, this will look different. But the most successful applicants take time at the beginning of the process to build a list that suits their needs and interests best.

With thousands of colleges and universities in the United States (let alone the world), the right school is definitely out there for you. Thinking beyond what’s most popular among your social group to focus on finding the places that suit you best will result in a more fulfilling application process for you. You will increase your likelihood of success because you’ll be better equipped to make a compelling argument in your favor, and you’ll also be more likely to be happy with your results even if you don’t get into your top choice

Read More

While we are pulling hard for each of our students to be admitted to their top choice early, the reality is that deferral is the most common decision reached by admissions offices at this part of the process.

We can’t stress this enough: being deferred does not mean that you've been denied, though we recognize it can sting to get this news, nonetheless. It means that your application will be reevaluated within the context of the regular decision pool.

Read More

By now you’re in the thick of your application season. Keep working hard! We know that there is a lot of pressure on you to produce writing and other supporting material that sets you apart from your peers and we support your efforts!

Many colleges and universities require supplemental essays as a part of their evaluation process. Staring at the impending deadlines and a veritable mountain of high stakes work to complete in front of you, you may be looking for any kind of shortcut to help get you across the finish line. One tactic that students employ every year is recycling their answer to a supplement for multiple schools.

Read More

It’s never easy receiving bad news. And when you’ve put in as much time and thought into your ED application as you undoubtedly did, receiving a deferral can sting. But don’t lose hope! There is still much of your process to be determined, and you may still have a great chance at being admitted to your top choice.

As you proceed, take the four reminders we’ve outlined below to heart. Hopefully they will help give you more perspective and a boost of encouragement to propel you to the finish line.

Read More

Letters of recommendation play a major role in determining how your application is perceived by admissions officers. The people who support you tell the story not just of what you’ve done but what kind of student you are likely to be in college.

Are you proactive? Do you lead discussions or learning opportunities? Do you draw novel conclusions that propel conversations or research forward? Do you have a track record of doing excellent work without needing instruction? Do you have a charming sense of humor or uncanny recollection of history?

Read More

The Common App provides a space for students to input additional information about themselves that doesn’t fit neatly within the essays or activity list. But just because you have this space available to you doesn’t mean you need to use it.

For admissions officers who read thousands of applications a year, less can be more. If you can tell your story without using the additional information section, you should. It will not put you at a disadvantage. However, there are some circumstances that high school students encounter that require further explanation. Read on for a better understanding of whether or not it makes sense for you to plan on using the Common App Additional Information section to best share your story.

Read More

How do you spend your time?

This seems like a simple question until you have to try to explain it to someone else. When you start getting into the details, definitions and descriptions often become more vague or murky.

In describing why you’re a great fit for their college, admissions officers want to paint the fullest picture of you possible. Diving beneath the surface level of what you do and uncovering the substance beneath it will help your story appear more vibrant and compelling to the person who reads your activity list.

Read More

One of the most common supplemental essay questions that colleges ask of their applicant is some variation of the question “why are you applying here?”

Yale asks students in 125 words or fewer what it is about Yale that has led them to apply. Meanwhile the University of Chicago asks the same question this way, with no firm word limit: “How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.”

Successfully answering the “why here” prompt will require you to demonstrate adept knowledge of what makes that particular school special as well as how your goals align with its values. Though the temptation may be to write one relatively reusable answer about what you hope to study, the most successful applicants will take advantage of this opportunity to boost their candidacy by writing a supplement that could only apply to that school.

Read More

For many students, the question is not if they will apply early decision but where. There is a statistical advantage to applying early versus regular decision, so it often makes sense to consider this option even if you don’t have a clear first choice school.

When choosing between two (or more) great options, it’s important to consider all the relevant factors to your process and experience – not just where a school is ranked in US News and World Report or how many supplemental essay questions you’ll have to answer. Think about the kind of person you hope to be in four or five years when you graduate from that institution. How do you hope to have been prepared?

Read More

You already know that your grades, essays, test scores (for schools that accept them), extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters matter quite a bit in the admissions process. You probably also already know that the more selective the school is that you’re applying to, the more scrutiny they will place on each component of your application.

Many of the students we work with have built strong resumes over the course of their high school careers and are among the best in their class in many respects. However, applying to college they begin to realize that there is a surplus of talented applicants who can say the same thing.

Read More

Let’s face it, seniors: once you’ve gotten those acceptances from the colleges of your dreams, it can be hard to stay focused the last couple months of high school. And before you know it, your “last summer” will transition into your first year of college.

You may feel like you’re ready to start right now. Or you may be looking at the calendar with dread. Transitions are difficult for everyone; but the good news is you’re not alone.

Approaching this period of your life with intention as well as anticipation can help you grow. As you prepare to trade the familiarity of one routine for another, it’s important that you reflect on the journey you’re undertaking and check in with yourself to make sure you are maintaining relationships that uplift you and preparing to handle new levels of responsibility and freedom.

Read More

One of the things we love most about working with students is helping so many with different interests and perspectives find schools perfectly suited for them. No two students are alike – and we have worked with our fair share of twins!

As you create your college list, you may already have a sense of how important a factor like size is for you. This is usually one of the primary determining factors in what your college experience will be like on a day-to-day basis. But beyond how many new friends you can make or how recognizable the name brand of your school might be, there are many reasons why you should carefully consider how you will be affected by the size of the student body.

Read More

There are thousands of colleges and universities throughout the United States, so narrowing down which school might be right for you can be daunting. Before allowing yourself to become too attached to any specific school, it’s important to self-assess your priorities. What kind of experience is most likely to lead to your success?

As you create a college list tailored to your aspirations, you may find yourself asking whether you would prefer the liberal arts experience or that of a larger university. There are major advantages to both systems; one isn’t inherently better than the other, though one may suit your learning style and preferences better.

Read More

“Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”

Common App essay prompt six is for deep thinkers, those students who get lost in the big ideas or the technical minutiae that bring them to life. This is not a place just to talk about something you like to study; it’s to reflect on something you need to study.

If this sounds like you, we encourage you to think about choosing this prompt. But before you dive in too deeply, consider our top three tips to help you write an essay that makes your passions stand out from the crowd.

Read More

“Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”

Every protagonist has an origin story, an inciting incident that sends them on their quest and ultimately leads to self-discovery. Harry Potter got the invitation to Hogwarts that gave him a new purpose and appreciation for his heritage. Peter Parker survived a radioactive spider bite that, instead of killing him, unlocked the superhero within. Dorothy Gale traveled all the way to the magical land of Oz only to realize “there’s no place like home.”

Common App prompt 4 gives students the opportunity to share their own origin story. What set you on your current course? How did you come to understand the world in the way that you do? If reflecting on these kinds of moments within your life excites you, and if you have a strong understanding of what those moments have been for you, this might be the best prompt to use to craft your personal statement.

Read More

“Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?”

Common App prompt 4 offers students the opportunity to showcase gratitude, an easy to overlook but vital trait possessed by the most successful applicants (and the happiest people). Has your high school experience been profoundly affected by the kindness of someone else? Have you been building a legacy of “paying it forward” in your own way?

Read More

“Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?”

Are you the kind of student who challenges the system? Are you prone to asking the question “why” when told to do something? Do you follow up that questioning with your own research? If this sounds like you, then Common App prompt 3 might be a great question for you to use as the basis for your personal statement.

Read More

“The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

Sometimes your best story comes from setbacks. The resilience, determination, and knowledge you gain from overcoming a challenge or failure is often more instructive of your character than your successes. For many students, writing your personal statement about an obstacle you’ve faced can be both cathartic and persuasive. If you have such a story, we encourage you to think about using this prompt to steer the direction of your Common App personal statement.

Read More